Mayor Rob Ford made his international debut at the Pan American Games closing ceremonies Sunday night, receiving the flag on behalf of Ontario.

Mayor Rob Ford carries the Pan American games flag in Omnilife Stadium during the closing ceremonies on Sunday.

By:Robyn DoolittleStaff Reporter, Published on Mon Oct 31 2011

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO —With a stadium of 50,000 people cheering him on, Mayor Rob Ford made his international debut at the Pan American Games closing ceremonies Sunday night, receiving the flag on behalf of Ontario.

Ford sang along to the national anthem as Canada's flag was raised and grinned as he was handed the Games’ flag by Guadalajara's mayor Jorge Aristóteles Sandoval Diaz.

It was a last-minute RSVP from the mayor, but one that Toronto’s Pan Am organizing team felt was crucial now that it’s full speed ahead with 2015 planning.

“Today is a great day for Toronto, the province and the country,” said Ian Troop, CEO of TO2015. “Having Mayor Ford here to take part in the handover ceremony emphasizes the commitment of the city and the excitement we all feel about hosting the next Games.”

Ford may be taking heat back in Toronto over the This Hour has 22 Minutes fiasco and Keith Olbermann’s Worst Person in the World segment, but since arriving in this city Friday afternoon, the mayor has been given a rock star’s welcome.

At two gala receptions thrown by the province of Ontario, Ford mingled with Olympic committee executives, foreign officials and Canadian dignitaries and posed for photos with Governor General David Johnston.

No one spoke at the protocol-driven handover ceremony Sunday. Since arriving, Ford has toured the athletes village and was scheduled to attend numerous sporting events. Those who have been in talks with the mayor in recent days say he was “feeling a bit nervous” about appearing before such a huge crowd.

Expectations were high for how Guadalajara would close its Pan Ams. The Games themselves have been praised by athletes and sports federations across North and South America. The stamp of approval is especially significant given the number of construction delays, financial problems and political battles that plagued the five-year planning process. This time last year, many of the venues were still far from completion. At one point in 2010, there was talk about finding a new host city for 2011. And despite some initial security concerns, the Games concluded without incident.

The highlight for many was the opening ceremonies two weeks ago.

The two-hour ceremony dazzled with sombrero-wearing mariachi singers, acrobats and an impressive fireworks display. Details of the closing ceremonies have been tight-lipped but Latin America’s Ricky Martin was rumoured to be performing. After the handover, Toronto had eight minutes to give a taste of what to expect from the 2015 games.

The Toronto Pan Ams will cost $2.5 billion, more than 10 times the budget of these Games.

Nearly 6,000 athletes and 42 countries travelled to Guadalajara to compete in the 16th Pan American Games. Canada finished in 5th place — the first time we haven’t been on the overall podium since 1959 — behind the United States (236), Cuba (136), Brazil (141) and Mexico (133). Canadian athletes won 119 medals, following a gold medal win by Rugby 7s Sunday afternoon.

Canadians earned eight Olympic spots in these Games, up from six at the last Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2007. And Pan-Am only athletes are bringing 24 medals back to Canada, up from 18.

“We’ve really focused on what’s core to these Games, which was Pan Am-only sports and Olympic qualifiers. We really focused on those and we’ve had success,” Caroline Assalian, the Canadian Olympic Committee’s chief sport officer, said at a Sunday morning news conference.

COC president Marcel Aubut said it was “mission accomplished” at these 16th Pan American Games.

“This road is coming to an end. As of Monday, the road to the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games will lead us back home.”

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